How To Use Redo Shortcut on Windows, Mac & Mobile [2024]

Key Takeaways
  • Undo and redo commands are critical for reversing or reapplying recent actions in most applications, enhancing efficiency.
  • Redo shortcuts: Windows (Ctrl + Y), Mac (Command + Shift + Z), and mobile apps via on-screen buttons or gestures.
  • Popular apps with redo functionality include Microsoft Office, Google Apps, Adobe products, and more, accessible through various shortcuts and tools depending on the device.

We’re all aware of the feeling when the slightest mistake disrupts our entire task progress in a blink of an eye. Whether one’s performing leisure activities, chores, or professional work, who wants their efforts to lie waste simply because of a silly mistake?

Well, thanks to technology, these mistakes are reversible in the virtual world and can be fixed via the undo and redo commands. These tools are critical in our everyday lives as they give humans the flexibility to fix errors along the way of their work.

So, learn the basic knowledge of the undo and redo shortcuts to utilize them to the full extent!

Redo Shortcut
Redo Shortcut

How Does Undo and Redo Work?

The undo and redo commands are the most important features that are offered by most applications. So, whether you’re typing out your assignment or editing a picture, these functions can reverse and reapply your actions in no time.

The undo function gives users the option to revert to their last action while the redo functionality allows you to reapply the last unsaved action. Both of these functions are components of a data structure, undo stack, which tracks the sequence of your actions and effectively enhances your work efficiency.

undo and redo buttons on Microsoft Word
undo and redo buttons on Microsoft Word

But how exactly does the undo and redo features work? The answer is simple. Every time you perform an action, it is included in the undo stack. So, if you press the undo command, the action is reverted and added into the redo stack.

However, if you press the redo command, the most recent action is reapplied from the redo stack. This entire system allows you to easily access your recent changes and reapply them, whenever necessary.

READ MORE: 10 Awesome Chrome OS Keyboard shortcuts that you need to know about ➜

How to Use Redo Shortcut on Windows

The redo shortcut in Windows is supported by almost all the applications, including Microsoft Office Suite, Google Apps, etc. Users can simply press the Ctrl + Y keys from their keyboard to evoke the redo shortcut. This command will instantly re-apply the most recent action.

redo shortcut keys
redo shortcut keys for Windows

How to Use Redo Shortcut on Mac

The redo shortcut for Mac is slightly different than Windows and works on most native and third-party applications. To redo the last undone action, users can press Command + Shift + Z keys from their keyboard.

For instance, if you accidentally performed an action and pressed the undo command, pressing Command + Shift + Z keys will restore the deleted sentence in the Apple Keynote app. This is just one of the many examples where the redo shortcut will help save your time and energy in re-performing certain actions.

shortcut keys on Mac
shortcut keys on Mac keyboard

READ MORE: How to Strikethrough using a Keyboard Shortcut on a Mac ➜

How to Use Redo Shortcut on Mobile (iOS and Android)

For iOS and Android users, the redo shortcut varies depending on the app you’re using. However, the applications that support the redo command do so via on-screen buttons or gestures.

iOS users can make use of the redo functionality by shaking their device in certain apps which brings up the undo and redo dialog. Other apps have a toolbar with a redo button. On the other hand, Android applications mostly have the redo button in their toolbar. Simply tapping on the ‘arrow curving to the right buttonallows users to redo their undone action.

Google Docs redo button
Google Docs redo button

Various popular apps incorporate the redo shortcut to enhance user experience and allow them to efficiently manage edits and modifications. This includes Microsoft Office Suite with applications like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. Not only that, but Google apps, such as Google Docs, Slides, and Sheets also have the redo command across various devices.

Google Docs redo button
redo button on Google Docs

The redo command is also used in other apps like Apple Keynote, WPS Office, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, etc., which is accessible either through keyboard shortcut, gestures or toolbar icons depending on which device you’re using.

READ MORE: What Are Hotkeys & How You Can Create One Yourself! ➜

Conclusion

Having a base of knowledge regarding the undo and redo functions can help you enhance your work quality while saving time. With these commands incorporated in various applications, you can easily streamline your workflow in any digital environment.

Redo Shortcut

Can I redo multiple actions at one time?

Yes, most applications allow you to redo multiple actions at once. All you have to do is repeatedly press the redo shortcut (Ctrl + Y for Windows and Command + Shift + Z for Mac).

What can I do if the undo and redo shortcut is not working?

Firstly, ensure that the application you’re using supports the undo and redo commands. Then, check the app’s settings to make sure that the shortcut you’re using is correct. If the shortcuts still don’t work, try restarting the app. But this will only allow you to restore changes you make moving forward. Your previously unsaved changes will not be restored in any way.

Is there any way I can undo or redo on Windows without a keyboard?

To redo or undo an action without a keyboard, most applications on Windows have a toolbar at the top of the screen that you can quickly access. Simply find and click on an arrow curving to the right for redo command and an arrow curving to the left for undo command.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Kamil Anwar


Kamil is a certified MCITP, CCNA (W), CCNA (S) and a former British Computer Society Member with over 9 years of experience Configuring, Deploying and Managing Switches, Firewalls and Domain Controllers also an old-school still active on FreeNode.